A Guide To City Breaks In Rome

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Known as the Caput Mundi or the Capital of the World, Rome has a enourmous amount of sites to see, all if which can be enjoyed either by foot, or on the tour busses which circle the city.



With a population of aproximately 4 million, Rome is Itay's largest city. As the capital of Italy, it boasts the residence of the President of the Italian Republic and the Italian Prime Minister. The Italian Constitutional Court is also located in the city.



As the birthplace of the Catholic Church, it also is home to the Vatican, the Pope, and St. Peter's Basilica. Part of the allure that makes this the third most popular city to visit in Europe, is the religious sights, the people, and the activities that surround them. With the many Basilicas in and around the city, each built at different times throughout history, you will need to make a list of those you most want to see and plan your time accordingly.



For your kids, there is the Bioparco or the zoo. This 18 acre zoo has quite a collection of animals and it will give you a break from classical Rome while you roam among the beasts and beauties to be found in this park.



Of spiritual and historical significance is the Coliseum in Rome. In the 1st century AD this Coliseum was built to house gladiators, condemned prisoners, and hungry lions, as they fought each other in front of thousands of blood-thirsty spectators. The Coliseum was, in the following years, eventually abandoned and damaged by earthquakes. For Christians, it is a sight where we recall our history; for budding archaeologists and history buffs, this is a sight to study for ancient building techniques; for those interested in how plants migrate, it is a sight to study for the myriads of exotic plants that were planted inadvertently when seed pods fell from the animals that were brought in to fight in the great arena.



Rome has a rich history of Christianity and Catholicism, of art and museums. There are also modern works of architecture, standing side by side with the old, classical lines of the city. For a city break with culture and variety, Rome is an excellent place to begin. It's easy to get to from just about everywhere and it has an extensive city wide transportation system for your convenience. Got a few days to spare? Rome makes a great destination for a short weekend break.





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